The Week India – July 21, 2019

THE WEEK • JULY 21, 2019 15

PLUS

Cancer Strikes. Again.

But three years later in 2009, to his horror,
he noticed a lesion at the very same spot on
his tongue. More visits to the doctors and
his worst fears were confirmed. The cancer
had recurred. This time, however, the
doctors felt that surgery was the best
option: they removed the affected portion of
the tongue.

“I was determined to face it, and told myself
that I would be back in action soon. The day
after the surgery, to everyone’s surprise, I
was up and about. But the recovery was a
lot more complicated this time around.
I was left with a tongue that was very
different in shape and size. I had to work
hard to regain my normal speech, and it
was very frustrating to not be able to
pronounce certain words.”

Family and Extended

Family.

Through this ordeal, he had unstinting
support from both his colleagues and
family. Says his wife Uma, who facilitates
children at a Montessori institution, “The
support we got from our doctors was
amazing.”

“My in-laws were also very supportive
during his treatment. My mother-in-law
took over the home front, and both she
and my father-in-law showered our son
with a lot of love and attention.”

Amar’s mother V. Saraswathy, with
Zen-like calm, describes her feelings
when she was first told about her son’s
diagnosis. “I accepted it. My only thought

was about what to do next. We are their

elders, and if we get tense and fall

sick, then we are only adding to their

stress. I felt I must pray that he gets

better.”

Lending a Hand.

Amar and his team have held four

exhibitions at the Karnataka Chitrakala

Parishath in the city, and has a tie-up with

Rotary Club of Bangalore West to hold

annual events. At one exhibition, it raised

`5 lakh for children with special needs. In

2006, he was conferred with the Paul Harris

Award for exemplary contributions and

service to social causes by Rotary

International.

In 2010, he joined the Pink Hope Cancer

Patient Support Group, of which he is now

in-charge, He has been working towards

launching an awareness programme for

cancer warriors to help them in their

recovery and connect them to other

survivors who reinforce and spread the

message of positivity.

“Cancer is a six-letter word and so is

Prayer,” Amar points out. He goes on to

elaborate what Prayer means. “It is the

power of Positive thinking, which gives you

the strength to Regain control, Adapt to

changes, reinvent Yourself, Explore your

hidden talents, and Rejoice with your family

and friends.”

He signs off with, “Cancer is not

contagious; but victory over cancer can be

made contagious. Live your new life

consciously and help others to succeed.”